MANILA, Philippines - In view of the impending transportation fare hike, Sen. Manny Villar yesterday urged the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) to provide discounts to senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWD) and government employees riding the LRT and MRT trains. Villar said that this should be on top of the student discount proposed by fellow Senator Ralph Recto. "The New Year welcomed us with price increases in toll fees, petroleum products and basic commodities.
With the looming fare hike in the LRT and MRT, one way to ease the burden of low income families would be a discounted fare, similar to what is being implemented in jeeps and buses," Villar said. "Discounted train fare for our elderly and PWDs is also a way to show that we care for them and that we are open to giving them all the benefits and privileges possible to make things easier for them," he added. Villar lamented that government employees who use the MRT and LRT trains as the daily means of transportation will have to pay more for the fare and will reduce further their already measly take home pay. (Rolly Carandang)
